In this episode, our host Preethy Padmanabhan sits down with Linda Tong — CEO at Webflow — to explore the profound leadership lessons from Sacred Hoops by Phil Jackson. 💫

Linda reflects on Jackson’s transformative journey with the Bulls — from introducing the zen approach to building ego-less, high-performing teams through mindfulness, presence, and “invisible coaching.” She breaks down the principles that shaped her own leadership style — putting WE before ME, visualizing like a champion, staying calm under pressure, and preparing mentally for tough seasons.

Through Linda’s lens, we dive into what it means to build teams rooted in trust, cultivate a culture that embraces vulnerability and focus, and lead from a place of clarity rather than control. Her insights offer a powerful look at how mindfulness can unlock 10X growth for modern organizations.

n this episode, our host Preethy Padmanabhan sits down with Madhu Shalini Iyer — entrepreneur, Managing Partner at Rocketship.vc, and former data scientist — to unpack her contrarian perspective on Good to Great by Jim Collins. 💫

Madhu dives deep into why some companies make the leap while others stall, reflecting on themes like Level 5 leadership, confronting brutal facts, and balancing the three essential levers: doing what you're best at, solving problems you’re deeply passionate about, and building a sustainable economic engine.

Through her lens, we explore how founders can create equilibrium between a culture of discipline and the risk-taking spirit that defines entrepreneurship. Her insights reveal what it truly takes to scale with clarity, lead with conviction, and unlock 10X growth in today’s startup landscape.

In this episode, our host Preethy Padmanabhan sits down with Swati Bhatia, CEO Openbank US & Head of Retail Bank, Santander US, to explore the leadership wisdom inspired by Trillion Dollar Coach by Eric Schmidt, Alan Eagle, and Jonathan Rosenberg. 💫

Swati reflects on the timeless principles shaped by legendary Silicon Valley coach Bill Campbell — from building deep trust to fostering team-first cultures — and how these strategies powered the rise of Apple, Google, LinkedIn, and countless startups. Through her perspective, we uncover what it truly takes to lead with heart, scale with integrity, and enable others to thrive.

In this episode, our host Preethy Padmanabhan sits down with Gayathri Devi Kalyanaraman, Co-Founder & Rallyist at Sangatna Angels, to unpack the powerful principles from Deep Work by Cal Newport. 💫

Gayathri shares how this book has shaped her approach to focus, productivity, and prioritization — especially while balancing multiple roles and responsibilities. Through her lens, we explore what it truly means to create space for distraction-free, high-impact work in a world overflowing with noise.

Robin Merritt | Leading with Courage Lessons from Dare to Lead

In this episode, our host Preethy Padmanabhan sits down with Robin Merritt, Chief People Officer at Gainsight, to explore the transformative insights from Dare to Lead by Dr. Brené Brown. 💫

Robin shares why this book has been a guiding force in her leadership journey — helping her embrace vulnerability, define her non-negotiables, and lead with authenticity and courage. Through her lens, we uncover what it truly means to build a courage culture within an organization — one rooted in trust, empathy, and bold conversations.

Tatyana Mamut | Dharma and Leadership: Lessons from the Mahabharata

In this episode, our host Preethy Padmanabhan sits down with Tatyana Mamut, Co-founder & CEO of Wayfound, for an inspiring conversation on the Indian epic “Mahabharata” authored by Sage Vedavyasa. 🌿⚔️

Together, they explore the timeless concept of Dharma (duty and moral law) and its powerful relevance to modern leadership. Tatyana shares insights from her incredible journey — from leading innovations at Amazon, Salesforce, IDEO, Nextdoor, and Pendo to guiding teams with empathy and purpose.

With 15 patents and Generative AI breakthroughs, Tatyana bridges ancient wisdom with modern innovation — showing how self-awareness, resilience, and moral clarity define true leadership.

In this episode, our host Preethy Padmanabhan sits down with Diane Yu, Co-founder & CEO of TidalWave.ai, for a thought-provoking discussion on Fei-Fei Li’s book “The Worlds I See.” 🌍✨

They explore how compassion and inclusion can shape the next wave of AI innovations — and how Diane’s own journey as a serial entrepreneur mirrors the book’s vision of purpose-driven technology.

From co-founding FreeWheel to leading TidalWave.ai, Diane shares insights on building impactful companies and pioneering the first generative AI for mortgages.

Ever wondered how a classic management book from 1984 can transform a modern SaaS business?

In this episode, Preethy Padmanabhan sits down with Andy MacMillan, CEO of Alteryx, to explore The Goal by Eliyahu Goldratt.The Goal is a management novel that follows Alex Rogo, a struggling plant manager, as he learns to transform his factory and improve efficiency. Discover how to spot bottlenecks, streamline processes, and achieve your business objectives—time-tested strategies brought to life for today’s world.